What's eating my trachelospermum jasminoides 'variegatum'?

Variegated star jasmine shares the pest vulnerabilities of the species but the cream-and-green foliage makes sooty mould deposits particularly noticeable. Scale insects on older wood are the main concern, followed by aphids on new growth in spring. Spider mites can flare during hot summers, especially against a warm wall.

Waxy brown or tan shields on stems and leaf midribs; honeydew produces sooty mould that mars the decorative variegated leaves Scrub affected stems with a soft brush and soapy water; apply horticultural or neem oil when crawler nymphs are mobile in late spring

Tight colonies on emerging shoot tips cause curled, puckered new leaves; honeydew and sooty mould stain white leaf margins Blast off with water; spray with insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil; foster ladybirds and lacewings as biological control

Fine pale stippling across leaves; webbing on undersides in hot dry weather; affected leaves pale and drop prematurely Increase irrigation and air movement around the plant; spray foliage with water; apply neem oil or Phytoseiulus persimilis predators